William IV Period Five Dial Mahogany Wheel Barometer by Joseph Cetti & Co of Holborn, London

A William IV period five dial mahogany wheel barometer by Joseph Cetti & Co, 25 Red Lion Street, Holborn, London.

This early example of a five dial barometer is a style gained most popularity during the 1840’s and took over from the four dial barometer with the inclusion of a convex mirror with reeded and ebonised surround much like the earlier and much larger Regency convex wall mirrors. As a result, the thermometer case was shorter than its predecessor in order to incorporate the mirror.

This barometer has a mahogany veneered case with surrounding satinwood inlay and in addition to the mirror and silvered thermometer, it has a spirit level engraved with “Cetti & Co, 25 Red Lion Street, Holborn”, a ten inch silvered and engraved dial with 28 to 31 inches of atmospheric pressure to the scale and a hygrometer to the head below the swan neck pediment. The dial is enclosed with a brass bezel complete with original convex glass front.

Joseph Cetti & Co were prolific manufacturers of barometers during the early nineteenth century and traded from three different addresses between 1802 and 1839. The 25 Red Lion Street address was their final place of business where they traded from 1816 – 1839. Given the style of this barometer, it would have been manufactured towards the end of their career although it is an early example of the five dial form.

Circa 1835